The World in Brief from The Economist

Donald Trump announced a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, to begin on Thursday evening.

Donald Trump announced a ten-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, to begin on Thursday evening; Mr Trump did not mention Hizbullah, the Iran-backed militia that Israel is fighting in Lebanon and which is separate from the government.

Donald Trump claimed the war with Iran is “close to over” as Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran to try to advance peace talks. Also, he claimed that Israeli and Lebanese officials would speak on Thursday for the first time in “34 years”.

Donald Trump said the war in Iran was “close to over” as Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran to try to advance peace talks between Iran and America.

Donald Trump said the war in Iran was “close to over” as Pakistan’s army chief arrived in Tehran to try to advance peace talks between Iran and America; Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet on Wednesday to consider a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to Reuters, a news agency.

Donald Trump said a second round of talks between America and Iran could take place “over the next two days” in Pakistan. Also, America said that Israel and Lebanon had agreed to “launch direct negotiations” following trilateral talks in Washington.

Talks between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, DC ended after two hours. Israel’s ambassador to America said the countries were “united in liberating Lebanon” from Hizbullah, an Iran-backed militia; Donald Trump told the New York Post that a new round of talks between America and Iran could take place “over the next two days”

Iran threatened to strike Gulf ports after America began a blockade of ships using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Also, Hizbullah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said that Lebanon should cancel talks with Israel scheduled for Tuesday in Washington.